Wireless connectivity management and handoff control

ABSTRACT

A communication management system (such as hardware and/or executed software) receives performance information indicating wireless connectivity performance between a communication device and a set of candidate wireless access points. The communication device is initially in communication with a first wireless access point over a wireless link. Based on the performance information, the communication management system selects a candidate wireless access point from the set in which to performance a handoff. The communication management hardware the notifies the communication device to handoff the wireless link from the first wireless access point to the selected candidate wireless access point.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/997,414 entitled “WIRELESS CONNECTIVITYMANAGEMENT AND HANDOFF CONTROL,” filed on Aug. 19, 2020, the entireteachings of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

In general, Wi-Fi™ is the name of a wireless standards group thatdecides implementations of the wireless Ethernet standards IEEE802.11.Such technology is defined by multiple different specifications from theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11standards.

In a so-called Wi-Fi™ network, each of multiple communication devices(typically mobile) communicate with a wireless access point to access aremote network such as the Internet. In certain instances, each of thecommunication devices share the same one or more communication channels(same range of frequencies).

Wi-Fi™ is a contention based communication system as multiplecommunication devices compete to use the same wireless channel. Forexample, Wi-Fi™ uses a protocol called carrier sense multiple accesswith collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). In general, the communicationsinclude (1) listen before transmitting, (2) if a collision is detectedby transmitting at the same time as another wireless station, wait arandom time before trying to communicate again.

The devices compute random wait times to reduce collisions. For example,the wait time of a device is the number of idle time slots it must waitbefore transmitting, counted D seconds after then end of the previoustransmission. The device must add D seconds to its wait time wheneverthat wait time is interrupted by a transmission.

Because devices compute different random wait times after a collision,they typically do not interfere with each other after attempting channelaccess again. If the channel is busy at the end of a wait time, thedevice computes a new random wait time and starts waiting again beforetransmitting.

Unlike cellular telecommunication technologies however, Wi-Fi™ does nothave any specified handoff intelligence or protocols. This is becauseWi-Fi™ generally is not designed to be or meant to be a mobilitytechnology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments herein include supporting handoffs in a wireless networkenvironment to ensure continuous wireless connectivity with acommunication management system.

More specifically, a communication management resource (such ashardware, software, combination of hardware and software) controlsconnectivity of one or more communication devices in a networkenvironment. For example, the communication management resourceinitially receives performance information indicating wirelessconnectivity performance between a first communication device and a setof one or more candidate wireless access points. Assume that the firstcommunication device is in communication with a first wireless accesspoint over a wireless link. Based on analysis of the performanceinformation, the communication management resource selects a candidatewireless access point from the set. The communication managementresource then notifies the communication device to handoff the wirelesslink from the first wireless access point to the selected candidatewireless access point.

In one embodiment, each of the first wireless access point and theselected candidate wireless access point provide the communicationdevice connectivity to a controller resource (such as communicationmanagement hardware) that controls operation of the communicationdevice. The handoff of the communication device from the first wirelessaccess point to a second wireless access point ensures continuedconnectivity with the controller resource or a respective network.

Further embodiments herein include, via the controller (a.k.a.,communication management hardware), communicating a first notificationfrom a controller to the communication device. The first notificationindicates a decision to handoff the wireless link from the firstwireless access point to the second wireless access point. Additionally,in accordance with further example embodiments, the controllercommunicates a second notification from the controller to thecommunication device. The second notification indicates results ofpre-authenticating the communication device with the selected wirelessaccess point.

In still further example embodiments, prior to communicating the secondnotification of pre-authentication results or other information to thecommunication device, the controller communicates an authenticationrequest from the controller to the selected wireless access point, theauthentication request pre-authenticating the communication device withthe selected wireless access point. In response to communicating theauthentication request to the wireless access point, the controllerreceives an authentication response from the selected wireless accesspoint.

In one embodiment, a further response from the controller to thecommunication device includes security information (such as results ofpre-authenticating the communication device with the selected wirelessaccess point) facilitating secured connectivity of the communicationdevice with the selected wireless access point.

Further embodiments herein include, via the controller, communicating anidentity of the selected wireless access point to the communicationdevice. Accordingly, the communication device is informed of theselected wireless access point in which to perform a handoff of thewireless link. As a response to communicating the identity of theselected wireless access point to the communication device, thecontroller receives an acknowledgement message from the communicationdevice. In one embodiment, the acknowledgement message from thecommunication device confirms an operation of the communication deviceinitiating the handoff from the first wireless access point to theselected candidate wireless access point.

In still further example embodiments, the handoff notification (acommand) to the communication device to handoff the wireless link fromthe first wireless access point to the selected candidate wirelessaccess point causes a so-called FT or fast transfer (such as inaccordance with standard 802.11 or a Wi-Fi™ protocol) of thecommunication device from the first wireless access point to theselected candidate wireless access point.

Still further embodiments herein include, via the controller, receivingan acknowledgement message from the communication device. In oneembodiment, the acknowledgement is a response to the controllernotifying the communication device to handoff the wireless link from thefirst wireless access point to the selected wireless access point. Inone embodiment, the acknowledgement message confirms that thecommunication device has received the handoff messageindicating/including the instruction to handoff the communication linkfrom the first wireless access point to the selected candidate wirelessaccess point.

Note that the performance information can be any suitable information.In one embodiment, the controller receives first performance informationoriginating from the communication device; the first performanceinformation indicates performance of the communication device receivingfirst wireless communication from the first wireless access point. Thecontroller receives second performance information originating from thefirst wireless access point; the second performance informationindicates performance of the first wireless access point receivingsecond wireless communications from the communication device. Thecontroller receives third performance information originating from thecandidate wireless access point; the third performance informationindicates performance of the candidate wireless access point receivingthird wireless communications from the communication device.

Still further embodiments herein include, via the controller, notifyinga first communication device to handoff the wireless link from the firstwireless access point to the selected candidate wireless access point inresponse to a second communication device blocking wireless signalsbetween the first communication device and the first wireless accesspoint.

Additionally, or alternatively, the controller monitors anticipatedmotion of a second communication device along a path in a networkenvironment. In one embodiment, the controller notifies the firstcommunication device to handoff the wireless link from the firstwireless access point to the selected candidate wireless access point inresponse to detecting the anticipated motion of the second communicationdevice blocking wireless signals between the first communication deviceand the first wireless access point at a particular time.

In yet further example embodiments, wireless 802.11 LAN (Local AreaNetwork) systems as described herein provide network connectivity forclient stations from one or more access points to which the clients areregistered. If a client station moves from the coverage zone of a firstwireless access point in the network and detects the signal from anotherwireless access point in the same network, then the client station caninitiate a handoff of a respective connection from the first wirelessaccess point to the second wireless access point. According to certainembodiments herein, this is known as reassociation and usually takes onthe order of a few seconds to occur once the client station has made thedecision to switch access points.

At higher frequencies (e.g. 60 GHz), the access point coverage zonesbecome typically smaller due to the RF (Radio Frequency) propagationcharacteristics. In such an instance, faster moving client stations(such as mobile robots or other type of device) not only spend less timein each access point zone, the few seconds it takes to re-associateitself to the new wireless access point can severely impact the qualityof service received by the client station.

Additionally, it should be noted that moving objects present in awireless LAN deployment environment can block the signal path ofstationary clients (communication devices) and impact their qualities ofservice as well. In general, the conventional wireless protocol 802.11rdefines a fast transition (a.k.a., FT) functionality that reduces theamount of time for the client station to switch from handing off fromone access point to another. A limitation of this FT amendment is thatthe decision to make the transition is based solely on the clientstation. In a typical Industrial Automation deployment scenario, therewill be a multi-edge compute (MEC) system that will be required forenabling many of the target use cases. In general, Multi-access EdgeComputing (MEC), is an ETSI-defined network architecture concept thatenables cloud computing capabilities and an IT (Internet Technology)service environment at the edge of the cellular network and, moregenerally at the edge of any network. The enhanced MEC system asdescribed herein is deployed to help facilitate reassociations of mobileclients as well as stationary clients that require a very high qualityof service. This can be done with additional application software in theaccess points and the client stations and can make use of existing802.11 messages and mechanisms.

These and additional embodiments are further discussed below.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one ormore computerized devices, mobile communication devices, servers, basestations, wireless communication equipment, communication managementsystems, workstations, user equipment, handheld or laptop computers, orthe like to carry out and/or support any or all of the method operationsdisclosed herein. In other words, one or more computerized devices orprocessors can be programmed and/or configured to operate as explainedherein to carry out the different embodiments as described herein.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. Onesuch embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computerreadable hardware storage medium) on which software instructions areencoded for subsequent execution. The instructions, when executed in acomputerized device (hardware) having a processor, program and/or causethe processor (hardware) to perform the operations disclosed herein.Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code,instructions, and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged orencoded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as anoptical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick,memory device, etc., or other a medium such as firmware in one or moreROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such configurations canbe installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized deviceto perform the techniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,computer program product, etc., that supports operations as discussedherein.

One or more embodiments herein include a computer readable storagemedium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Theinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware (such as one or more co-located ordisparately processor devices) to: receive performance informationindicating wireless connectivity performance between a communicationdevice and a set of candidate wireless access points, the communicationdevice being in communication with a first wireless access point over awireless link; based on the performance information, select a candidatewireless access point from the set; and notify the communication deviceto handoff the wireless link from the first wireless access point to theselected candidate wireless access point.

Another one or more embodiments herein include a computer readablestorage medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Theinstructions, when executed by computer processor hardware, cause thecomputer processor hardware (such as one or more co-located ordisparately processor devices) to: communicate performance informationthrough a first wireless access point over a wireless communication linkto a controller, the performance information indicating wirelessconnectivity performance between the communication device and a secondwireless access point in a network environment; receive controlinformation from the controller, the control information indicating tohandoff the wireless link from the first wireless access point to thesecond wireless access point; and in response to receiving the controlinformation, initiate the handoff of the wireless link from the firstwireless access point to the second wireless access point.

The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Notethat any of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed inany suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, or as hardware alone such as withina processor (hardware or software), or within an operating system or awithin a software application.

Techniques as described herein are well suited for use in the field ofsupporting connectivity of multiple communication devices with wirelessaccess points. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein arenot limited to use in such applications and that the techniquesdiscussed herein are well suited for other applications as well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify everyembodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosureor claimed invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presentsgeneral embodiments and corresponding points of novelty overconventional techniques. For additional details and/or possibleperspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is directedto the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments)and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of communicationdevices to respective wireless access points in a network environmentaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating handoff of a wireless linkfrom a first wireless access point to a second wireless access pointbased on movement of a remote device according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating handoff of multiple wirelesslinks based on movement of a remote device according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless connectivity according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless communication link handoffs according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless communication link handoffs according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating a handoff technique accordingto embodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating a handoff technique accordingto embodiments herein.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating schedule information ofmultiple remote devices at different times according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating example computer architecture toexecute one or more operations according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 14 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 15 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a communication management system (such ashardware and/or executed software) receives performance informationindicating wireless connectivity performance between a communicationdevice and a set of candidate wireless access points. The communicationdevice is in communication with a first wireless access point over awireless link. Based on the performance information, the communicationmanagement system selects a candidate wireless access point from the setin which to perform a handoff. The communication management hardwarenotifies the communication device to handoff the wireless link from thefirst wireless access point to the selected candidate wireless accesspoint.

Overview

As more specifically discussed herein, wireless LAN (Local Area Network)systems (such as based on 802.11 or other wireless communicationprotocol) provide network connectivity for client stations from one ormore wireless access points to which the clients are registered. If aclient station moves from the coverage zone of a first access point inthe network and detects the signal from a second access point in thesame network, the client station has an ability to change its wirelessconnection from the first access point to the second access point. Thisis known as reassociation and usually takes on the order of a fewseconds to occur once the client station has made the decision to switchaccess points.

At higher frequencies (e.g., such as greater than 10 GHz or around 60GHz) the access point coverage zones in a wireless network becometypically smaller due to the RF propagation/attenuation characteristicsat such high frequencies. This disclosure includes the observation that,at higher frequencies, faster moving client stations, such as mobilerobots, not only spend less time in each access point zone, the fewseconds it takes to re-associate to the new access point can severelyimpact the quality of service received by the client station.Additionally, it is noted that moving objects in a wireless LANdeployment environment can block the signal path of stationary clientsand impact their qualities of service as well. See FIGS. 1-6 below andcorresponding discussion for an illustration of these events.

Conventional 802.11r wireless communication protocol defines a fasttransition (FT) functionality that reduces the amount of time for aclient station to switch from handing off a wireless communication linkfrom one access point to another. One limitation of this amendment isthat the decision to make a transition is based solely on the clientstation. In a typical Industrial Automation deployment scenario therewill be a multi-edge compute (MEC) system (control system) that will berequired for enabling many of the target use cases. This MEC system cantherefore be employed to help facilitate reassociations of mobileclients as well as stationary clients that require a very high qualityof service. As described herein, this can be implemented via additionalapplication software in the access points and the client stations andcan make use of existing 802.11 messages and mechanisms.

Entity Roles and Functions

Embodiments herein include wireless access points, client stations (suchas wireless stations), and a MEC system (a.k.a., a control system).

A. Access Points (APs)

In one embodiment, the access points communicate in accordance with awireless communication protocol such as 802.11 and perform the standard802.11 MAC and Phy processing with the following application levelenhancements such as:

-   -   measure connected client station uplink (UL) performance metrics        (RSSI, SNR, etc.)    -   send metrics reports periodically to MEC.        B. Client Stations (STAs)

Similar to the wireless access points, the wireless stations (such asremote devices or stations) perform the standard communicationprocessing such as via 802.11 MAC and Phy with the following applicationlevel enhancements:

-   -   the wireless stations scan surrounding APs and record        metrics—This could be from an assigned list which may include a        subset of APs and could be dynamic list could be provided by MEC        and could change depending on STATION location    -   the wireless stations report AP metrics to MEC (RSSI, SNR, etc.)        periodically (period could be provisioned by the control system)    -   Perform FT sequence normally under direction from MEC        -   If the monitoring STA detects a radio link failure (RLF) or            poor performance, then it needs to do FT autonomously:            -   i) Report FT to MEC upon success,            -   ii) Attempt FTs in order of metrics in scan list                -   Start with “best” candidate                -    If failure then attempt “next best” candidate and                    work down the list                -   Metrics and thresholds can be provisioned by MEC                -   If all candidates in list fail then fall back to                    standard 802.11 connection mechanisms                    C. MEC System

The multi-edge compute (MEC) system is typically a compute clusterlocated near a local area network (LAN) and performs time-sensitivecompute processing for devices connected to the LAN. In one embodiment,the MEC system includes an application running on the MEC platform ineither a virtualized machine (VM) or computer that performs thefollowing functions:

-   -   Collect reports from wireless access points and wireless        stations    -   Monitor status and quality of all radio links between access        points and stations        -   This could employ traditional algorithms or machine            learning (ML) techniques    -   Proactively issue FT commands to STAs to trigger the FT        procedure to a selected target AP    -   Update link status upon successful FT    -   Operate as a proxy for STAs to expedite the FT process        -   Possibly use Broadcast and/or Multicast messages in RLF            scenarios

Now, more specifically, FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustratingconnectivity of communication devices to respective wireless accesspoints in a network environment according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the network environment 100 includes controlsystem 140 (such as a MEC as previously discussed or other suitableentity), multiple wireless access points (such as wireless access point121, wireless access points 122, wireless access point 123, etc.), andmultiple wireless stations (wireless station 131, wireless station 132,wireless station 133, etc.).

As further shown, the network environment 100 includes multiple remotedevices. For example, network environment 100 includes remote device181, remote device 182, remote device 183, etc.

In one embodiment, the control system 140 controls movement and/oroperation of the respective remote devices via commands wirelesslycommunicated to the respective remote devices. Additionally, oralternatively, the remote devices operate in an autonomous manner. Inaccordance with further example embodiments, the remote devices operatein a hybrid manner in which one or more of the remote devices receivescommands from the control system 140 and operates in an autonomousmanner to execute the received commands.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at time T1, the wirelessstation 131 provides the remote device 181 at location L7 connectivityto the control system 140 via the wireless communication link 127-2between the wireless station 131 and the wireless access point 121; thewireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 at location L8connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 128-2 between the wireless station 132 and the wireless accesspoint 122; the wireless station 133 provides the remote device 183initially at location L1 connectivity to the control system 140 via thewireless communication link 127-1 between the wireless station 133 andthe wireless access point 121; and so on.

As previously discussed, the wireless communication links supportwireless communications between the remote devices and the controlsystem 140. Communications over the wireless communication links caninclude commands, feedback, status information, etc.

As further shown in this example embodiment, the remote device 183travels along the path 195 from location L1 to location L6, passingthrough locations L2, L3, L4, and L5 along the way. As further discussedbelow, movement of the remote device 183 along the path 195 at leasttemporarily disrupts (such as blocks) wireless communications betweenthe wireless stations and respective wireless access points.

In one embodiment, the wireless stations and respective wireless accesspoints communicate with each other via a wireless communication protocolspectrum access system Wi-Fi™ (such as based on 802.11 standards). Insuch an instance, the communication devices (such as wireless stationsand wireless access points) compete to use the same wireless channel.For example, the communication devices implement a protocol calledcarrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Ingeneral, the communications include (1) listen before transmitting, (2)if a collision is detected by transmitting at the same time as anotherwireless station, wait a random time before trying to communicate again.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at time T2, in response todetecting a condition such as blocking or anticipated blocking ofwireless communications between the wireless station 131 and thewireless access point 121 when the remote device 183 is at location L2,the wireless station 131 initiates a handoff of the wirelesscommunication link 127-2 with the wireless access point 121 in FIG. 1 tothe wireless communication link 128-1 with the wireless access point 122in FIG. 2 .

Thus, after the handoff of the wireless station 131 from the wirelessaccess point 121 to the wireless access point 122 at or around time T2,the wireless station 131 provides the remote device 181 at location L7connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 128-1 between the wireless station 131 and the wireless accesspoint 122; the wireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 atlocation L8 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wirelesscommunication link 128-2 between the wireless station 132 and thewireless access point 122; the wireless station 133 provides the remotedevice 183 at location L2 connectivity to the control system 140 via thewireless communication link 127-1 between the wireless station 133 andthe wireless access point 121; and so on.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating handoff of a wireless linkfrom a first wireless access point to a second wireless access pointbased on movement of a remote device according to embodiments herein.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at or around time T3, inresponse to detecting a condition such as blocking or anticipatedblocking of wireless communications between the wireless station 131 andthe wireless access point 122 when the remote device 183 is at locationL3, the wireless station 131 initiates a handoff of the wirelesscommunication link 128-1 with the wireless access point 122 in FIG. 2 tothe wireless communication link 127-2 with the wireless access point 121in FIG. 3 .

Thus, after the handoff of the wireless station 131 from the wirelessaccess point 122 back to the wireless access point 121 at or around timeT3, the wireless station 131 provides the remote device 181 at locationL7 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 127-2 between the wireless station 131 and the wireless accesspoint 121; the wireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 atlocation L8 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wirelesscommunication link 128-2 between the wireless station 132 and thewireless access point 122; the wireless station 133 provides the remotedevice 183 at location L3 connectivity to the control system 140 via thewireless communication link 127-1 between the wireless station 133 andthe wireless access point 121; and so on.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at or around time T4, inresponse to detecting a condition such as that the wireless access point122 is able to provide a better wireless communication link with thewireless station 133 than the wireless access point 121 when the remotedevice 183 is at location L4, the wireless station 133 initiates ahandoff of the wireless communication link 127-1 with the wirelessaccess point 121 in FIG. 3 to the wireless communication link 128-1 withthe wireless access point 122 in FIG. 4 .

Thus, after the handoff of the wireless station 133 from the wirelessaccess point 121 to the wireless access point 122 at or around time T4,the wireless station 131 provides the remote device 181 at location L7connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 127-2 between the wireless station 131 and the wireless accesspoint 121; the wireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 atlocation L8 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wirelesscommunication link 128-2 between the wireless station 132 and thewireless access point 122; the wireless station 133 provides the remotedevice 183 at location L4 connectivity to the control system 140 via thewireless communication link 128-1 between the wireless station 133 andthe wireless access point 122; and so on.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating handoff of multiple wirelesslinks based on movement of a remote device according to embodimentsherein.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at or around time T5, inresponse to detecting a condition such as that the wireless access point121 is able to provide a better wireless communication link with thewireless station 132 than the wireless access point 121 when the remotedevice 183 is at location L5, the wireless station 132 initiates ahandoff of the wireless communication link 128-2 with the wirelessaccess point 121 in FIG. 4 to the wireless communication link 127-3 withthe wireless access point 121 in FIG. 5 .

Thus, after the handoff of the wireless station 132 from the wirelessaccess point 122 to the wireless access point 121 at or around time T5,the wireless station 131 provides the remote device 181 at location L7connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 127-2 between the wireless station 131 and the wireless accesspoint 121; the wireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 atlocation L8 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wirelesscommunication link 127-3 between the wireless station 132 and thewireless access point 121; the wireless station 133 provides the remotedevice 183 at location L5 connectivity to the control system 140 via thewireless communication link 128-1 between the wireless station 133 andthe wireless access point 122; and so on.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating connectivity of multiplecommunication devices with respective wireless access points in anetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

As further shown in this example embodiment, at or around time T6, inresponse to detecting a condition such as that the wireless access point123 is able to provide a better wireless communication link with thewireless station 133 than the wireless access point 122 when the remotedevice 183 is at location L6, the wireless station 133 initiates ahandoff of the wireless communication link 128-3 with the wirelessaccess point 122 in FIG. 5 to the wireless communication link 129-3 withthe wireless access point 123 in FIG. 6 .

Thus, in response to detecting a condition such as that the wirelessaccess point 122 is able to provide a better wireless communication linkwith the wireless station 132 than the wireless access point 121 whenthe remote device 183 is at location L6, the wireless station 132initiates a handoff of the wireless communication link 127-3 with thewireless access point 121 in FIG. 5 to the wireless communication link128-2 with the wireless access point 122 in FIG. 6 .

Thus, after the handoff of the wireless station 133 from the wirelessaccess point 122 to the wireless access point 123 at or around time T6,and handoff of the wireless station 132 from the wireless access point121 to the wireless access point 122 at or around time T6, the wirelessstation 131 provides the remote device 181 at location L7 connectivityto the control system 140 via the wireless communication link 127-2between the wireless station 131 and the wireless access point 121; thewireless station 132 provides the remote device 182 at location L8connectivity to the control system 140 via the wireless communicationlink 128-2 between the wireless station 132 and the wireless accesspoint 122; the wireless station 133 provides the remote device 183 atlocation L6 connectivity to the control system 140 via the wirelesscommunication link 129-3 between the wireless station 133 and thewireless access point 122; and so on.

Thus, movement of the remote device 183 along the path 195 results inmany handoffs in order to provide most efficient use of wirelessbandwidth in the network environment 100. The handoffs maintain requiredlevels of quality of service (QoS) for each of the endpoint devices.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless connectivity according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the wireless access point 121 provideswireless connectivity to wireless stations in a vicinity of region ofwireless coverage 721; the wireless access point 122 provides wirelessconnectivity to wireless stations in a vicinity of region of wirelesscoverage 722; the wireless access point 123 provides wirelessconnectivity to wireless stations in a vicinity of region of wirelesscoverage 723; and so on.

At time T11, the remote device 183 and corresponding wireless station133 reside at location L11 while traveling on path 795. The controlsystem 140 receives performance information 751, 752, and 753.

As its name suggests, the performance information includes any suitableinformation indicating a performance of wireless connectivity between awireless station and a wireless access point.

In one embodiment, the performance information 751 indicates a wirelesssignal strength of the wireless access point 121 receiving wirelesscommunications from each of the wireless stations 131 and 133. Theperformance information 752 indicates a wireless signal strength of thewireless access point 122 receiving wireless communications from each ofthe wireless stations 131 and 133. The performance information 753indicates a wireless signal strength of the wireless access point 123receiving wireless communications from each of the wireless stations 131and 133.

Note again that the performance information can include furtherinformation such as a received signal strength of the wireless stationsreceiving wireless communications from the wireless access points. Forexample, in one embodiment, performance information 752 includesinformation indicating signal strengths of the wireless station 131receiving wireless communications from each of the wireless accesspoints 121, 122, and 123. Performance information 752 can furtherinclude information indicating signal strengths of the wireless station133 receives wireless communications from each of the wireless accesspoints 121, 122, and 123.

In accordance with further example embodiments, based on the receivedperformance information, the control system 140 or other suitable entityproduces ranking information 731 assigned to wireless station 131 andranking information 733 assigned to wireless station 133.

For example, for time T11, ranking information 731 ranks the wirelessaccess point 122 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; rankinginformation 731 ranks the wireless access point 121 as being the secondbest candidate (second highest in the list) to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 131; ranking information 731 ranksthe wireless access point 123 as being the third best candidate toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; and so on.

For time T11, ranking information 733 ranks the wireless access point122 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) to providewireless connectivity to the wireless station 133; ranking information731 ranks the wireless access point 121 as being the second bestcandidate (second highest in the list) to provide wireless connectivityto the wireless station 133; ranking information 731 ranks the wirelessaccess point 123 as being the third best candidate to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 133; and so on.

In such an instance, based on ranking information 731, the controlsystem 140 notifies or causes the wireless station 131 to connect to thewireless access point 122 via wireless communication link 727-2. Basedon ranking information 733, the control system 140 notifies or causesthe wireless station 133 to connect to the wireless access point 122 viawireless communication link 727-1.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless communication link handoffs according to embodimentsherein.

In this example embodiment, at time T12, the remote device 183 residesat location L12 while traveling on path 795. The control system 140receives performance information 851, 852, and 853.

In one embodiment, based on previous connectivity in FIG. 7 before ahandoff in FIG. 8 , the performance information 851 indicates a wirelesssignal strength of the wireless access point 121 receiving wirelesscommunications from each of the wireless stations 131 and 133. Theperformance information 852 indicates a wireless signal strength of thewireless access point 122 receiving wireless communications from each ofthe wireless stations 131 and 133. The performance information 853indicates a wireless signal strength of the wireless access point 123receiving wireless communications from each of the wireless stations 131and 133.

Note that the performance information can include further informationsuch as a received signal strength of the wireless stations receivingwireless communications from the wireless access points. For example, inone embodiment, performance information 852 includes informationindicating signal strengths of the wireless station 133 receivingwireless communications from each of the wireless access points 121,122, and 123. Performance information 852 further includes informationindicating signal strengths of the wireless station 133 receiveswireless communications from each of the wireless access points 121,122, and 123.

In accordance with further example embodiments, based on the receivedperformance information, the control system 140 produces rankinginformation 831 assigned to wireless station 131 and ranking information833 assigned to wireless station 133 in FIG. 8 .

For example, for time T12, ranking information 831 ranks the wirelessaccess point 121 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; rankinginformation 831 ranks the wireless access point 123 as being the secondbest candidate (second highest in the list) to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 131; ranking information 831 ranksthe wireless access point 122 as being the third best candidate toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; and so on.

For time T12, ranking information 833 ranks the wireless access point122 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) to providewireless connectivity to the wireless station 133; ranking information833 ranks the wireless access point 123 as being the second bestcandidate (second highest in the list) to provide wireless connectivityto the wireless station 133; ranking information 833 ranks the wirelessaccess point 121 as being the third best candidate to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 133; and so on.

In such an instance, based on ranking information 831 in FIG. 8 , thecontrol system 140 notifies the wireless station 131 to connect to thewireless access point 121 via wireless communication link 728-1. Basedon ranking information 833 in FIG. 8 , the control system 140 notifiesthe wireless station 133 to connect to the wireless access point 122 viawireless communication link 727-1.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating ranking of wireless accesspoints and wireless communication link handoffs according to embodimentsherein.

At time T13, the remote device 183 resides at location L13 whiletraveling on path 795. The control system 140 receives performanceinformation 951, 952, and 953.

In one embodiment, based on previous connectivity in FIG. 8 before ahandoff in FIG. 9 , the performance information 951 indicates a wirelesssignal strength of the wireless access point 121 receiving wirelesscommunications from each of the wireless stations 131 and 132. Theperformance information 952 indicates a wireless signal strength of thewireless access point 122 receiving wireless communications from each ofthe wireless stations 131 and 132. The performance information 953indicates a wireless signal strength of the wireless access point 123receiving wireless communications from each of the wireless stations 131and 132.

Note that the performance information can include further informationsuch as a received signal strength of the wireless stations receivingwireless communications from the wireless access points. For example, inone embodiment, performance information 951 includes informationindicating signal strengths of the wireless station 131 receivingwireless communications from each of the wireless access points 121,122, and 123. Performance information 952 further includes informationindicating signal strengths of the wireless station 133 receiveswireless communications from each of the wireless access points 121,122, and 123.

In accordance with further example embodiments, based on the receivedperformance information in FIG. 9 , the control system 140 producesranking information 931 assigned to wireless station 131 and rankinginformation 933 assigned to wireless station 133.

For example, for time T13, ranking information 931 ranks the wirelessaccess point 122 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; rankinginformation 931 ranks the wireless access point 121 as being the secondbest candidate (second highest in the list) to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 131; ranking information 931 ranksthe wireless access point 123 as being the third best candidate toprovide wireless connectivity to the wireless station 131; and so on.

For time T13, ranking information 933 ranks the wireless access point123 as being the best candidate (highest in the list) to providewireless connectivity to the wireless station 133; ranking information933 ranks the wireless access point 122 as being the second bestcandidate (second highest in the list) to provide wireless connectivityto the wireless station 133; ranking information 933 ranks the wirelessaccess point 121 as being the third best candidate to provide wirelessconnectivity to the wireless station 133; and so on.

In such an instance, based on ranking information 931 in FIG. 9 , thecontrol system 140 notifies or causes the wireless station 131 toconnect to the wireless access point 122 via wireless communication link727-2. Based on ranking information 933, the control system 140 notifiesor causes the wireless station 133 to connect to the wireless accesspoint 122 via wireless communication link 729-1.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating a handoff technique accordingto embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the wireless station 13X (where X=1, 2, 3,etc.) is one of wireless station 131, wireless station 132, wirelessstation 133, etc., as previously discussed. The wireless station 13X maybe mobile or stationary in the wireless network environment 100.

Further, as previously discussed, movement of a respective one or morewireless station in the wireless network environment 100 causes thecurrent wireless link between the respective wireless station and afirst wireless access point to degrade, causing the control system 140to initiate a handoff of the respective wireless station 13X to a secondwireless access point based on ranking information generated for therespective wireless station.

As further shown in this example embodiment, via communications 1010,the wireless station 133 is initially in communication with the wirelessaccess point 122 via a respective established session #1 (such aswireless communication link). Thus, the communication device (wirelessstation 13X and corresponding remote device) is in communication withwireless access point 122 over a respective wireless link.

In a similar manner as previously discussed, the control system 140(i.e., communication management resource) receives performanceinformation indicating wireless connectivity performance between thewireless station and a set of candidate wireless access points includingwireless access point 123.

More specifically, the wireless station 13X analyzes a power level orquality of wireless communications (such as downlink) received from thewireless access point 122; the wireless station 13X analyzes a powerlevel or quality of wireless communications received from the wirelessaccess point 122; and so on.

Via communications 1015, the wireless station 13X reports theperformance information (such as power level of received wirelesscommunications, link quality, etc.) regarding received wirelesscommunications to the control system 140.

The wireless access point 122 analyzes a power level or quality ofwireless communications received from the wireless station 13X in theuplink direction. Via communications 1020, the wireless access point 122reports the performance information (such as power level of receivedwireless communications, link quality, etc., associated with wirelesscommunications received from the wireless station 13X) to the controlsystem 140.

The wireless access point 123 analyzes a power level or quality ofwireless communications received from the wireless station 13X in theuplink direction. Via communications 1025, the wireless access point 123reports the performance information (such as power level of receivedwireless communications, link quality, etc., associated with wirelesscommunications received from the wireless station 13X) to the controlsystem 140.

Thus, the control system 140 receives first performance informationoriginating from the wireless station 13X; the first performanceinformation indicates performance of the wireless station 13X receivingcommunications from the first wireless access point 122 and the wirelessaccess point 123.

The control system 140 receives second performance informationoriginating from the first wireless access point 122; the secondperformance information indicates performance of the first wirelessaccess point 122 receiving second wireless communications from thewireless station 13X.

The control system 140 receives third performance informationoriginating from the candidate wireless access point 123; the thirdperformance information indicates performance of the candidate wirelessaccess point 123 receiving third wireless communications from thewireless station 13X.

Based on analysis of the performance information via handoff controlfunction 1030 associated with control system 140 or other suitableentity, the control system 140 selects a candidate wireless access pointfrom the set of candidate wireless access points including wirelessaccess points 122 and 123.

Assume in this example embodiment that the communication system 140detects that the link quality between the wireless station 13X andwireless access point 122 is poor and that the wireless access point 123would provide much better wireless connectivity. In such an instance,the handoff control function 1030 notifies the wireless station 13X andcorresponding remote device to handoff its current wireless link fromthe wireless access point 122 to the selected candidate wireless accesspoint 123.

As previously discussed, in one embodiment, each of the first wirelessaccess point 122 and the selected candidate wireless access point 123provide the wireless station 13X (communication device) connectivity tothe control system 140 (such as a controller resource or communicationmanagement hardware) that controls operation and wireless connectivityof the remote device. The initiated handoff of the wireless station 13Xfrom the first wireless access point 122 to the second wireless accesspoint 123 ensures continued connectivity of the wireless station 13X tothe control system 140 when the link between the while station 133 inthe wireless access point 122 degrades.

As further shown in FIG. 10 , via communications 1050, in response tomaking a respective decision to perform a handoff from the wirelessaccess point 122 to the wireless access point 123, the control system140 (a.k.a., communication management hardware) communicates anotification (handoff order or command message) from the control system140 through wireless access point 122 to the wireless station 13X. Thefirst notification indicates a decision to handoff the wireless linkfrom the first wireless access point to the second wireless accesspoint.

Further embodiments herein include, via the control system 140 andcommunications 1050, communicating an identity of the selected wirelessaccess point 123 to the wireless station 13X. Accordingly, the wirelessstation 13X is informed of the selected wireless access point 123 inwhich to perform a handoff of a respective wireless link.

In one embodiment, as a response to communicating the identity of theselected wireless access point 123 and handoff command to the wirelessstation 13X the communications 1050, the control system 140 receives anacknowledgement message (via communications 1055) from the wirelessstation 13X through the wireless access point 122.

In one embodiment, the acknowledgement message as indicated by thecommunications 1055 (such as a Handoff Order Acknowledgment) confirmsthat the wireless station 13X has received the handoff message incommunications 1050 indicating/including the instruction to handoff thecommunication link from the first wireless access point 122 to theselected candidate wireless access point 123. In one embodiment, thecommunications 1055 notify the control system that the wireless station13X will initiate a respective handoff as indicated by the handoffcommand in communications 1050.

In yet further example embodiments, the handoff notification incommunications 1050 to the wireless station 13X causes a so-called fasttransfer (such as in accordance with standard 802.11 or a Wi-Fi™protocol) of the wireless station 13X from the wireless access point 122to the selected candidate wireless access point 123.

As previously discussed, a poor wireless communication link between thewireless station 13X and the wireless access point 122 can occur for anyreason. In one embodiment, the control system 140 generatescommunications 1050 in response to detecting that a remote device orobject in the wireless network environment 100 blocks wireless signalsbetween the wireless station 13X and the wireless access point 122.

As previously discussed, determining that wireless connectivity is poorbetween the wireless station 13X and the wireless access point can bedetected in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, thecontrol system 140 monitors anticipated motion of objects such as asecond communication device along paths of network environment. In oneembodiment, the control system 140 notifies the wireless station 13X tohandoff a respective wireless link from the first wireless access point122 to the selected candidate wireless access point 123 in response todetecting the anticipated motion of the second communication deviceblocking wireless signals between the wireless station 13X and the firstwireless access point 122 at a particular time.

As further shown, in response to receiving the handoff command viacommunications 1050, the wireless station 13X sends a request incommunications 1060 to the wireless access point 123 to establish arespective wireless link. In one embodiment, the communications 1060include a re-association request.

In response to receiving the re-association request in communications1060, the wireless access point 123 generates and transmits a respectiveassociation response in communications 1065 to the wireless station 13X.

In accordance with further example embodiments, the wireless station 13Xperforms authentication with the wireless access point 123 to establisha respective wireless communication link. For example, viacommunications 1070, the wireless station 13X transmits anauthentication request to the wireless access point 123 to establish thehandoff wireless communication link as a secured communication link. Inresponse to receiving the authentication request, the wireless station13X communicates an authentication response in communications 1075 tothe wireless station 13X.

In one embodiment, the communications 1070 and 1075 includeback-and-forth communications setting up encryption capability betweenthe wireless station 13X and the wireless access point 123.

Via further communications 1080, after completion of the handoff, thewireless station 13X and the wireless access point 123 are able tocommunicate with each other over a respective secured wirelesscommunication link via session #2.

In one embodiment, subsequent to establishing the new session #2 betweenthe wireless station 133 and the wireless access point 123, the wirelessstation 13X communicates a handoff complete message (such ascommunication 1081) to the control system 140. The handoff completemessage indicates completion of handing off of the wireless station 13X(or wireless station 133) from wireless access point 122 to wirelessaccess point 123. The control system 140 keeps track of the newconnectivity between the wireless station 133 and the wireless accesspoint 123.

Summary of Methods and Procedures

A. MEC triggered Fast Transition (FT)

-   -   1. Access points (APs) and stations (STAs) each measure radio        link metrics and send measurement reports to the control system        140 (such as MEC system).    -   2. The control system 140 monitors all of the radio link metrics        and issues FT (Fast Transfer) trigger orders to those wireless        stations that require them. This could be due to the wireless        stations being mobile and moving from one AP coverage zone to        another, or it could be due to moving objects within the        deployment environment that have blocked the radio link and a        new radio connection is required to maintain a particular        quality of service (QoS)    -   3. The control system 140 issues an order to a wireless station        to commence the FT (handoff) procedure to the wireless access        point specified in the order message.    -   4. The wireless station receiving the handoff (FT) order message        from the control system 140 acknowledges the order and then        begins the standard FT procedure to the wireless access point        given in the FT order message.    -   5. Upon completion of the standard FT message exchange with a        respective target access point receiving the handoff, the        wireless station receives service through a newly established        session on the target access point receiving the handoff.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating a handoff according toembodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the wireless station 13X is one of wirelessstation 131, wireless station 132, wireless station 133, etc., aspreviously discussed. The wireless station may be mobile or stationaryin the wireless network environment 100.

Further, as previously discussed, movement of a respective one or morewireless station in the wireless network environment 100 causes thecurrent wireless link between the respective wireless station and afirst wireless access point to degrade, causing the control system 140to initiate a handoff of the respective wireless station 13X to a secondwireless access point based on ranking information generated for therespective wireless station.

As further shown in this example embodiment, via communications 1110,the wireless station 133 is initially in communication with the wirelessaccess point 122 via a respective established session #1 (such aswireless communication link). Thus, the communication device (such aswireless station 133 and corresponding remote device 183) is incommunication with wireless access point 122 over a respective wirelesslink.

The control system 140 (i.e., communication management resource)receives and analyzes performance information indicating wirelessconnectivity performance between the wireless station and a set ofcandidate wireless access points including wireless access point 123.

More specifically, the wireless station 13X analyzes a power level orquality of wireless communications (such as downlink) received from thewireless access point 122; the wireless station 13X analyzes a powerlevel or quality of wireless communications received from the wirelessaccess point 123; and so on.

Via communications 1115, the wireless station 13X reports theperformance information (such as power level of received wirelesscommunications, link quality, etc.) regarding received wirelesscommunications through wireless access point 122 to the control system140.

The wireless access point 122 analyzes a power level or quality ofwireless communications received from the wireless station 13X in theuplink direction. Via communications 1020, the wireless access point 122reports the performance information (such as power level of receivedwireless communications, link quality, etc., associated with wirelesscommunications received from the wireless station 13X) to the controlsystem 140.

The wireless access point 123 analyzes a power level or quality ofwireless communications received from the wireless station 13X in theuplink direction. Via communications 1025, the wireless access point 123reports the performance information (such as power level of receivedwireless communications, link quality, etc., associated with wirelesscommunications received from the wireless station 13X) to the controlsystem 140.

Thus, the control system 140 receives first performance informationoriginating from the wireless station 13X; the first performanceinformation indicates performance of the wireless station 13X receivingcommunications from the first wireless access point 122 and the wirelessaccess point 123.

The control system 140 receives second performance informationoriginating from the first wireless access point 122; the secondperformance information indicates performance of the first wirelessaccess point 122 receiving second wireless communications from thewireless station 13X.

The control system 140 receives third performance informationoriginating from the candidate wireless access point 123; the thirdperformance information indicates performance of the candidate wirelessaccess point 123 receiving third wireless communications from thewireless station 13X.

Based on analysis of the performance information via handoff controlfunction 1030 associated with control system 140 or other suitableentity, the control system 140 generates respective ranking informationas previously discussed and selects a candidate wireless access pointfrom the set of candidate wireless access points including wirelessaccess points 122 and 123.

Assume in this example embodiment that, based on received performanceinformation, the communication system 140 detects that the link qualitybetween the wireless station 13X and wireless access point 122 is poorand that the wireless access point 123 would provide much betterwireless connectivity to the wireless station 13X. In such an instance,the handoff control function 1130 notifies the wireless station 13X andcorresponding remote device to handoff its current wireless link fromthe wireless access point 122 to the selected candidate wireless accesspoint 123.

As previously discussed, in one embodiment, each of the first wirelessaccess point 122 and the selected candidate wireless access point 123provide the wireless station 13X (communication device) connectivity tothe control system 140 (such as a controller resource or communicationmanagement hardware) that controls operation and wireless connectivityof the remote device. The initiated handoff of the wireless station 13Xfrom the first wireless access point 122 to the second wireless accesspoint 123 ensures continued connectivity of the wireless station 13X tothe control system 140.

As further shown in FIG. 11 , in response to making a respectivedecision to perform a handoff from the wireless access point 122 to thewireless access point 123, the control system 140 (a.k.a., communicationmanagement hardware) communicates a first notification (pre-notificationof a handoff order or command) such as via communications 1135 from thecontrol system 140 to the wireless station 13X. The first notificationindicates a decision to handoff the wireless link from the firstwireless access point 122 to the second wireless access point 123.

Further embodiments herein include, via the control system 140 andcommunications 1135, communicating an identity of the selected wirelessaccess point 123 to the wireless station 13X. Accordingly, the wirelessstation 13X is informed of the selected wireless access point 123 inwhich to perform a handoff of a respective wireless link. Note that theidentity of the wireless access point to receive the handoff link may besent in the communications 1135 as well.

In still further example embodiments, the control system 140communicates an authentication request in communications 1140 from thecontrol system 140 to the selected wireless access point 123; the proxyauthentication request in communications 1140 pre-authenticates thecommunication device with the selected wireless access point 123. Inother words, the control system 140 initiates partial or fullauthentication of the wireless station 133 on behalf of the whilestation 133. In response to communicating the authentication request incommunications 1140, the control system 140 receives an authenticationresponse in communications 1145 from the selected wireless access point123 resulting in partial or full authentication of the while station 133to communicate with the wireless access point 123.

In one embodiment, the response in communications 1145 from the wirelessaccess point 123 to the control system 140 includes security information(such as results of pre-authenticating the wireless station 13X with theselected wireless access point 123) facilitating secured connectivity ofthe wireless station 13X with the selected wireless access point 123.

Additionally, in response to the handoff control function 1130 decidingto performance a handoff, the control system 140 communicates a secondnotification in communications 1150 from the control system 140 to thewireless station 13X. In one embodiment, the second notificationindicates results of pre-authenticating the wireless station with theselected wireless access point 123 via communications 1140 and 1145.

In one embodiment, as a response to communicating the handoff command tothe wireless station 13X in communications 1150, the control system 140receives an acknowledgement message (such as a Handoff OrderAcknowledgment in communications 1155) from the wireless station 13X. Inone embodiment, the acknowledgement message as indicated by thecommunications 1155 confirms that the wireless station 13X has receivedthe handoff message in communications 1150 indicating/including thefinal instruction to handoff the communication link from the firstwireless access point 122 to the selected candidate wireless accesspoint 123. In one embodiment, the communications 1155 notify the controlsystem that the wireless station 13X will initiate a respective handoffas indicated by the handoff command in communications 1150.

In one embodiment, the handoff notification in communications 1150 tothe wireless station 13X causes a so-called fast transfer (such as inaccordance with standard 802.11 or a Wi-Fi™ protocol) of the wirelessstation 13X from the wireless access point 122 to the selected candidatewireless access point 123.

As previously discussed, poor communication link between the wirelessstation 13X and the wireless access point 122 can occur for any reason.In one embodiment, the control system 140 generates communications 1135,1140, 1145, 1150, etc., in response to detecting that a remote device orobject in the wireless network environment 100 blocks wireless signalsbetween the wireless station 13X and the wireless access point 122.

As previously discussed, determining that wireless connectivity is poorbetween the wireless station 13X and the wireless access point can bedetected in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, thecontrol system 140 monitors anticipated motion of objects such as asecond communication device along paths of network environment. In oneembodiment, the control system 140 notifies the wireless station 13X tohandoff a respective wireless link from the first wireless access point122 to the selected candidate wireless access point 123 in response todetecting the anticipated motion of the second communication deviceblocking wireless signals between the wireless station 13X and the firstwireless access point 122 at a particular time.

As further shown, in response to receiving the handoff command viacommunications 1150, the wireless station 13X sends a request incommunications 1160 to the wireless access point 123 to establish arespective wireless link. In one embodiment, the communications 1060include a re-association request.

In response to receiving the re-association request in communications1160, the wireless access point 123 generates and transmits a respectiveassociation response in communications 1165 to the wireless station 13X.

In one embodiment, as previously discussed, the communications 1140 and1145 include setting up encryption capability between the wirelessstation 13X and the wireless access point 123. Note that, in certaininstances, complete setup of a secured communication link and/orauthentication between the wireless station and the wireless accesspoint 123 may not be possible via communications 1140 and 1145 alone. Insuch an instance, additional security (encryption) setup is neededbetween wireless station 13X and the wireless access point 123. In oneembodiment, additional communications (such as via communications 1160and 1165) between the wireless station 13X and the wireless access point123 after communications 1155 and before communications 1180 includecompleting setup of encryption capability between the wireless station13X and the wireless access point 123.

Via further communications 1180, after completion of the handoff andsetting up a respective secured wireless communication link between thewireless station 13X and the wireless access point 123, the wirelessstation 13X and the wireless access point 123 are able to communicatewith each other over a respective secured wireless communication linkvia session #2.

In one embodiment, subsequent to establishing the new session #2 betweenthe wireless station 133 and the wireless access point 123, the wirelessstation 13X communicates a handoff complete message (such ascommunication 1181) to the control system 140. The handoff completemessage indicates completion of handing off of the wireless station 13X(or wireless station 133) from wireless access point 122 to wirelessaccess point 123. The control system 140 keeps track of the newconnectivity between the wireless station 133 and the wireless accesspoint 123.

Summary of Methods and Procedures

-   -   B. MEC assisted Fast Transition (FT) [see Diagram 2]. This        further enhances the performance by having the MEC system act as        a proxy for the STA and requiring the STA to only perform the        Reassociation procedure.        -   1. Access points (APs) and stations (STAs) each measure            radio link metrics and send measurement reports to the MEC            system.        -   2. The MEC system monitors all of the radio link metrics and            determines when an FT trigger is needed for those STAs that            require them. This could be due to the STA being mobile and            moving from one AP coverage zone to another, or it could be            due to moving objects within the deployment environment that            have blocked the radio link and a new radio connection is            required to maintain quality of service (QoS) [see FIG. 2 ]        -   3. When the MEC system determines an FT is required for an            STA it acts as a proxy for the STA and performs the            Authentication procedure on behalf of the STA.        -   4. When the Authentication procedure is complete the MEC            issues an FT Order message to the STA with the Target AP and            new security credentials.        -   5. The STA acknowledges the FT Order and performs the            Reassociation procedure with the Target AP using the            security credentials supplied by the MEC.        -   6. Upon completion of the Reassociation procedure the STA            receives service through a newly established session on the            Target AP.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating location schedule informationof a remote device at different times according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the control system 140 has knowledge of ascheduled movement of each of the remote devices in the networkenvironment 100. For example, as shown, the control system 140determines that the remote device 183 will be at location L1 performingoperation #1 at time T1; the control system 140 determines that theremote device 183 will be in motion at location L2 at time T2; thecontrol system 140 determines that the remote device 183 will be inmotion at location L3 at time T3; the control system 140 determines thatthe remote device 183 will be in motion at location L4 at time T4; thecontrol system 140 determines that the remote device 183 will be inmotion at location L5 at time T5; the control system 140 determines thatthe remote device 183 will be at location L6 at time T6.

In one embodiment, the control system 140 has access to scheduleinformation 1200 for each of the remote devices in network environment100. In such an instance, based on the schedule information 1200, andpotentially in lieu of using the performance measurement reports frommultiple wireless station and wireless access points, the control system140 determines when to perform handoffs of the wireless communicationlinks based on anticipation of wireless communications being blocked bythe controlled motion of the remote device 183.

For example, in one embodiment, in anticipation of the remote device 183being at the location L2 at time T2, the control system 140 initiatesthe handoffs and wireless connectivity at around time T2 as indicated byFIG. 2 and corresponding text; in anticipation of the remote device 183being at the location L3 at time T3, the control system 140 initiatesthe handoffs and wireless connectivity at or around time T3 as indicatedby FIG. 3 and corresponding text; in anticipation of the remote device183 being at the location L4 at time T4, the control system 140initiates the handoffs and wireless connectivity at or around time T4 asindicated by FIG. 4 and corresponding text; in anticipation of theremote device 183 being at the location L5 at time T5, the controlsystem 140 initiates the handoffs and wireless connectivity at or aroundtime T5 as indicated by FIG. 5 and corresponding text; in anticipationof the remote device 183 being at the location L6 at time T6, thecontrol system 140 initiates the handoffs and wireless connectivity ator around time T6 as indicated by FIG. 6 and corresponding text; and soon.

FIG. 13 is an example block diagram of a computer system forimplementing any of the operations as discussed herein according toembodiments herein.

As previously discussed, any of the resources (such as wireless station131, wireless station 132, wireless access point 121, wireless accesspoint 122, control system 140, etc.) as discussed herein can beconfigured to include computer processor hardware and correspondingexecutable instructions to carry out the different operations asdiscussed herein.

As shown, computer system 1350 of the present example can include aninterconnect 1311 that couples computer readable storage media 1312 suchas a non-transitory type of media (such as a type of hardware storagemedium) in which digital information can be stored and retrieved, aprocessor 1313, I/O interface 1314, and a communications interface 1317.

I/O interface 1314 supports connectivity to repository 1380 and inputresource 1392.

Computer readable storage medium 1312 can be any hardware storage devicesuch as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 1312 storesinstructions and/or data.

As shown, computer readable storage media 1312 can be encoded withmanagement application 140-1 (e.g., including instructions) to carry outany of the operations as discussed herein. As previously discussed, themanagement application 140-1 can be configured to implement any of theoperations as described herein such as those provided by communicationmanagement resource 142, communication management resource 141, etc.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 1313 accesses computerreadable storage media 1312 via the use of interconnect 1311 in order tolaunch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions inmanagement application 140-1 stored on computer readable storage medium1312. Execution of the management application 140-1 produces managementprocess 140-2 to carry out any of the operations and/or processes asdiscussed herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 1350can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to management application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system maybe or included in any of various types of devices, including, but notlimited to, a mobile computer, user equipment, a personal computersystem, a wireless device, base station, phone device, desktop computer,laptop, notebook, netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheldcomputer, workstation, network computer, application server, storagedevice, a consumer electronics device such as a camera, camcorder, settop box, mobile device, video game console, handheld video game device,a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, set-top box,content management device, handheld remote control device, any type ofcomputing or electronic device, etc. The computer system 1350 may resideat any location or can be included in any suitable resource in anynetwork environment to implement functionality as discussed herein.

Functionality supported by the different resources as described hereinwill now be discussed via the method flowchart in FIGS. 14 and 15 . Notethat the steps in the flowcharts below can be executed in any suitableorder.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart 1400 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1410, the controller 140 receives performanceinformation indicating wireless connectivity performance between acommunication device and a set of candidate wireless access points, thecommunication device in communication with a first wireless access pointover a wireless link.

In processing operation 1420, based on the performance information, thecontroller selects a candidate wireless access point from the set.

In processing operation 1430, the controller notifies the communicationdevice to handoff the wireless link from the first wireless access pointto the selected candidate wireless access point.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart 1500 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1510, the communication device communicatesperformance information through a first wireless access point over awireless communication link to a controller; the performance informationindicating wireless connectivity performance between a communicationdevice and a candidate wireless access point in a network environment.

In processing operation 1520, the communication device receives controlinformation from the controller. The control information indicating tohandoff the wireless link from the first wireless access point to asecond wireless access point.

In processing operation 1530, in response to receiving the controlinformation, communication device initiates the handoff of the wirelesslink from the first wireless access point to the second wireless accesspoint.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited to facilitatecontrolling wireless connectivity in a network environment. However, itshould be noted that embodiments herein are not limited to use in suchapplications and that the techniques discussed herein are well suitedfor other applications as well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: establishing firstwireless connectivity between a first wireless access point and a firstwireless station in a wireless network environment; based on scheduleinformation, monitoring anticipated movement of an entity through thewireless network environment; and based on the anticipated movement ofthe entity to a location between the first wireless access point and thefirst wireless station as indicated by the schedule information,initiating a handoff of the first wireless station from the firstwireless access point to a second wireless access point.
 2. The methodas in claim 1, wherein presence of the entity between the first wirelessaccess point and the first wireless station blocks wireless signalscommunicated between the first wireless access point and the firstwireless station.
 3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:selecting the second wireless access point from a set of multiplecandidate wireless access points in the wireless network environment. 4.The method as in claim 1, wherein monitoring the anticipated movement ofthe entity through the wireless network environment includes:determining an anticipated time of the entity being present at thelocation between the first wireless access point and the first wirelessstation based on schedule information.
 5. The method as in claim 4,wherein the schedule information indicates different times at which theentity is anticipated as being present at different locations along apath traveled by the entity through the wireless network environment. 6.The method as in claim 1 further comprising: selecting the secondwireless access point based on a performance of second wirelessconnectivity between the first wireless station and the second wirelessaccess point.
 7. The method as in claim 1, wherein initiating a handoffof the first wireless station from the first wireless access point tothe second wireless access point includes communicating a handoffcommand from the first wireless access point to the first wirelessstation prior to the entity being present at the location between thefirst wireless access point and the first wireless station.
 8. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the entity includes a second communicationdevice in communication with the first wireless access point in thewireless network environment.
 9. The method as in claim 1 furthercomprising: selecting the second wireless access point in which toperform the handoff in anticipation of the entity being disposed at thelocation; and in response to the selection, and prior to the handoff,authenticating the first wireless station with the second wirelessaccess point to facilitate the handoff.
 10. The method as in claim 1,wherein the handoff is a first handoff, the method further comprising:based on the monitored scheduled movement of the entity to a locationbetween the second wireless access point and the first wireless station,initiating a second handoff of the first wireless station from thesecond wireless access point to the first wireless access point.
 11. Asystem comprising: communication management hardware operative to:establish wireless connectivity between a first wireless access pointand a first wireless station in a wireless network environment; based onschedule information, monitor anticipated movement of an entity throughthe wireless network environment; and based on the anticipated movementof the entity to a location between the first wireless access point andthe first wireless station as indicated by the schedule information,initiate a handoff of the first wireless station from the first wirelessaccess point to a second wireless access point.
 12. The system as inclaim 11, wherein presence of the entity between the first wirelessaccess point and the first wireless station blocks wireless signalscommunicated between the first wireless access point and the firstwireless station.
 13. The system as in claim 11, wherein thecommunication management hardware is further operative to: select thesecond wireless access point from a set of multiple candidate wirelessaccess points in the wireless network environment.
 14. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the communication management hardware is furtheroperative to: determine an anticipated time of the entity being presentat the location between the first wireless access point and the firstwireless station based on schedule information.
 15. The system as inclaim 14, wherein the schedule information indicates different times atwhich the entity is anticipated as being present at different locationsalong a path traveled by the entity through the wireless networkenvironment.
 16. The system as in claim 11, wherein the communicationmanagement hardware is further operative to: select the second wirelessaccess point based on a performance of second wireless connectivitybetween the first wireless station and the second wireless access point.17. The system as in claim 11, wherein the handoff of the first wirelessstation from the first wireless access point to the second wirelessaccess point includes communication of a handoff command from the firstwireless access point to the first wireless station prior to the entitybeing present at the location between the first wireless access pointand the first wireless station.
 18. The system as in claim 11, whereinthe entity includes a second communication device in communication withthe first wireless access point in the wireless network environment. 19.The system as in claim 11, wherein the communication management hardwareis further operative to: select the second wireless access point inwhich to perform the handoff in anticipation of the entity beingdisposed at the location; and in response to the selection, and prior tothe handoff, authenticate the first wireless station with the secondwireless access point to facilitate the handoff.
 20. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the handoff is a first handoff, the communicationmanagement hardware further operative to: based on the monitoredscheduled movement of the entity to a location between the secondwireless access point and the first wireless station, initiate a secondhandoff of the first wireless station from the second wireless accesspoint to the first wireless access point.